Newbie- help!

ajuchkon

Hey all- my fiance and I are (pending a venue visit at Highland Manor) getting married this August 15th. We are moving to Boston, MA in 2 weeks and just got down to the Orlando area for a visit...which means we have about 2 weeks to get all the big stuff out of the way before we move! AHH!!

First- does anyone have opinions about Highland Manor? I hear a lot about the LMEC on here but not too much about the Manor.

Also, I know there are a lot of vendor reviews on here and I've read through about 10 of them but I really don't have time to read all of them. We are thinking about Jessica Leigh for photography because we are paying for the entire wedding ourselves and have a tight budget (very tight...very very).

Next week we need to get cake, flowers, officiant, photographer, first dress fitting, and BM dresses done. 

I specifically need reviews and help with vendors for cake, flowers, officiant and any additional photographers (other than Jessica Leigh). 

Thanks!! We're on a very tight and hectic schedule so I appreciate any input. 

ericak926

For cake you can check out Heather @ It's Tasty Too. For the price it is pretty dang good.
I'm using Rev. Glynn Ferguson with Sensational Ceremonies. He charges $225 for rehearsal and ceremony.
David @ Carly Ane's is priced pretty fair. I found with flowers the budget depends on what type of flowers you want.
I am using Leigh Taylor (kinda pricey) but all the girls rave about Tabitha McCausland.

lovetothinkpink

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_florida-central-florida_newbie-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:66Discussion:7489ccb3-c2b5-49f8-9945-1eb36d70fc1ePost:c324eae9-3146-470a-aebb-3c8fcf54eea6">Re: Newbie- help!</a>:
[QUOTE]For cake you can check out Heather @ It's Tasty Too. For the price it is pretty dang good. I'm using Rev. Glynn Ferguson with Sensational Ceremonies. He charges $225 for rehearsal and ceremony. David @ Carly Ane's is priced pretty fair. I found with flowers the budget depends on what type of flowers you want. I am using Leigh Taylor (kinda pricey) but all the girls rave about Tabitha McCausland.
Posted by ericak926[/QUOTE]

I ditto all of this! I am using It's Tasty Too as well,and our cake is a steal! I'm also using Rev.Glynn as well.If you are looking for great photography go to kayleenkelsey.com.We are using her,not only is she fantastic and affordable but an incredibly nice person.good luck!

ajuchkon

I just wrote to Kayleen Kelsey- I love what I see on her website! THANK YOU!!  

I am going to be looking into all of the advice- you have no idea how much I (we) appreciate it!

meghanmcadams

I haven't tasted his cakes but Michael Anthony cakes is always posting gorgeous pictures on his Facebook Fan page.

I've heard great things about Highland Manor, I just don't remember from who!

umcollegegrl

I also vote for Heather at Its Tasty Too!  Yummy, delicious cake and she was cheaper than Publix.

cjbwifey2010

LOVE Heather at it's tasty too! Prices are reasonable and cake is yummy!!!!

AileeneG

You can also talk to Beverly for a cake: Her email address is bevcakelady@earthlink.net

cherriterri519

I'm using Michael Anthony for my cake and it's delicious!  My sister got my bridal shower cake from him, too, and everyone raved about it.  My FI doesn't even like cake, but he liked Michael's.  Just tell him your budget and he will work with that.  I gave him the amount I wanted to spend, and he made it happen.

briehannah

I am using Anna from Anna's Cakes!! Gorgeous cakes!! She has been wonderful and her cakes are AMAZING!!
I am also using Jonathan's Flowers and he has been may favorite vendor tot work with ou of everyone I have hired! He is easy to work with, his prices are EXTREMELY REASONABLE, and he has been sooo much fun to bounce ideas off of.
Good Luck!!

ashbosity

How expensive are Michael Anthony's cakes? His work is amazing on his site, but he doesn't have prices listed. His flavors are awesome too.

Pretty Parula

Floral: Vicki at Peddles, or David at Carly Ane's. Vicki works from her home so she doesn't have the overhead of most storefonts, and I've heard really great things about her.

Cake: Julie at Cut the Cake is only $1/slice more than Heather at It's Tasty Too, and I thought Julie's cakes had a better texture and her fillings were good, too. She'll also customise your cake flavours by folding the fillings into the cake if you want.

Photography: You have some good options already, but in case you want to look at another, Fat Catz Photography is very reasonably priced and they're so flippin' fun!

GL

ajuchkon

Wow thank you guys so much for all the help

How long do florist consultations usually take? I'm scheduling a few for next Thursday and just want to make sure I'm leaving enough time in between.

Thanks again- you have no idea how big of a help you all are! 

Theresa626

Highland Manor is an amazingly beautiful venue.  Toni is very helpful and nice and she is willing to work with budgets and create a menu that you want.  I've eaten in their restaurant several times and have always enjoyed everything I have there.  Though I'm not having my wedding there, it was on the top of my list.  It is absolutely gorgeous and I would highly recommend it.  

As for flowers, I'm using Debbie with DSR Designs and she is very reasonably priced and willing to work with budgets.  

mlharbis

No ideas about the venue other than LMEC is nice. Don't know anything about HIghland.
I am also on a REALLY tight budget and am using:
Floral: Vicki with Peddles. She is awesome and priced really well because she works from an office at home.
DJ: Zach Scott Productions- 399 for 4 hrs
Cake: Eve's Cakes- less than $2 a slice for buttercream. He cakes are AMAZING!
Photography: Photography by Marlyn- She is really resonably priced
Caterer: Puff n Stuff- I am working with Heidi Brice and she got me an amazing menu for a small price
Officiant: sorry dont have anyone to recommend, we are getting married at my church

GOOD LUCK!

jazzycazy

Heeey!

I booked a package with the Ritz-Carlton which took care of my florals and cake but can highly recommend Theresa Knox at Beautiful Ceremony for an officiant, she was awesome!!

xjcx

ibacker

Hi there! I'm an Orlando wedding planner and also a soon-to-be bride myself. Highland Manor is a beautiful venue. If you are looking for a classic, elegant environment, it's definitely the place! For photography, I would recommend Rob Breter at www.BreterPhotography.com. Rob is very professional, and his work is stunning. He is doing our wedding as well, and did our engagement photos. His packages are very reasonably priced, and he will work with any budget. Definitely check out his website! I'm happy to help answer any other questions you might have, or recommend any other vendors. You can email me through my website: www.YourEpicEvent.com. Good luck, and congratulations!

jmucheech21

I recently went to Highland Manor with my fiance to check it out.  I thought it was GORGEOUS.  

We did not choose to go with them, however, 100% due to one of their wedding coordinators (I believe her name was Linda).  She was rude, abrupt, and made us feel as though our scheduled visit was an announce in her busy day.  

That being said, they do have 2 people and I see above a PP said Toni was wonderful, so that may be the case.  Hopefully you would be able to work with her instead of Linda.

Anyway, its just my opinion.  I know many people have been very happy there.  It may just have been a bad day for old Linda.  Just wanted to give you the heads up.

Good luck wedding planning!!!!